Key holding device



y 1937. R. M. BRYAN KEY HOLDING DEVICE Filed Jan. 25, 1937 #16271 17 fir yan/ Snow mp Patented July 6, 1937 PATENT OFFIQE KEY HOLDING DEVICE Ruth M. Bryan, Tulsa, Okla.

Application January 25, 1937, Serial No. 122,285

Claims.

This invention relates to a key holding device designed primarily to be coupled to a door knob and attached to a key when in holding position, but it is tobe understood that the device may 5 be coupled with the key attached thereto to any suitable support or hanger therefor arranged in juxtaposition to the lock with which the key is associated, and the invention has for its object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a key holding device to prevent the loss of the key when the latter is detached or drops from a lock and further for holding the key, when detached or dropped from the lock in close proximity to the latter.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of the class referred to which. is of especial benefit in relation to the keys of the locks on inner doors of buildings as it will act to prevent the loss of the keys, as well as function to prevent children from removing the keysand losing them.

Further objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device for the purpose referred to which is simple in its construction arrangement, strong, durable, compact, readily installed with respect to a door knob, support or hanger and the key, thoroughly efficient in its use, overcoming the inconveniences of lost or misplaced keys, permanently retaining the key in a position to be used when the latter is detached or dropped from a look, not unsightly in appearance or cumbersome, and inexpensive to manufacture.

To the above ends essentially and to others which may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be more specifically referred to and are as illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention. but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which fall Within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view in front elevation of a door showing the adaptation of the holding device, in front elevation with respect to the stem of a door knob mounted on the latch shaft, the stem of a key inserted into the door lock and with said stems and shaft shown in transverse cross section,

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of a door showing the adaptation of the key holding device with respect to the door knob and the door key suspended,

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the device extended. and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view in perspective showing the form of body part and closure employed for the coupling member and holding element.

Referring to the drawing, a door is indicated at 4, the lock for the key at 5, the latch operating shaft at G. a door knob at l, the stem of the knob at 8 and which is fixed to one end of shaft 6, the key-hole opening at 9, the door key at it], the stem or shank of the key at H, and the skeleton head of the key at l2. The stem or shank ll merges into the inner side of the head I2 at the transverse center of the latter. The foregoing elements are of known construction.

The key holding device in accordance with this invention includes a pair of flexible extension members l3, M, an annular attaching element [5, an annular coupling member l6 common to said members I 3, It and element l5 and an annular key holding element H.

The members I3, 14 may be of chain-like form and are so shown. The members l3, I4 are of any suitable length, but preferably the member i3 is of greater length than member I 4. The inner ends of the members l3, M are connected, as at l3, l9 respectively to opposite sides of the outer periphery of the coupling member !6 adjacent to one side of the horizontal diametric median of the latter. Preferably the members l3, M will have their inner ends welded to coupling member 16 and are so shown. The outer end of the member I3 is connected, as at 29 to the outer periphery of the inner side of the attaching element H5 at the horizontal diametric median of the latter. Preferably the outer end of member l3 will be welded to attaching element [5 and it is so shown. The outer end of flexible member I4 is connected, as at El to the outer periphery of the inner side of holding element IT at the horizontal diametric median of the latter. Preferably the outer end of member I 4 will be welded to holding element I! and it is so shown.

Preferably the coupling member 16 and holding element I! are of the same diameter and are so shown. The attaching element l 5 is of less diameter than that of member 16 and element 11. The element I5 is in the form of a ring. The coupling member l6 and attaching element 11 are of like construction but are oppositely disposed with respect to each other and each consists of a split circular hollow body part 22 and a spring controlled slidable closure 23 for the space between the ends of said body part 22. The closure 23 is of arcuate contour, is mounted in body part 22 and is of a length and so arranged to extend jrom one to within the other end of body part22 for closing the aforesaid space. The closure 23 is formed adjacent one end with an outward lug 24 to facilitate the opening movement of the closure and for limiting closing movement of the latter. The lug 24 operates through a slot 25 provided in body part 22 adjacent the end 26 of the latter. The outer end wall of slot 25 coacts with the lug 24 for limiting the closing movement of the closure 23.

When the device is installed the member [3 is extended around the stem of the knob and the element 45 attached to the member l6 whereby the device is coupled to the knob. The holding element I'lis positioned relatively to the shank or stem of the key in a manner whereby the latter will extend through the element [1 and the device is then coupled to the key. If the latter is. removed or droppedfrom the lock the key will'be held by element ii and suspended in proximity to the lock.

What I claim is:

1. In a key holding device, a pair of oppositely disposed flexible extension members, a normally closed annular coupling member having spring controlled means for opening and closing it, said member being arranged between and having its sides rigidly secured to the inner ends of the extension members, a permanently closed annular attaching element for connection to the coupling member and having its inner side rigidly secured to the outer end of one of the extension members, and a normally closed annular holding member having spring controlled means for opening and closing it, said holding element having its inner side rigidly secured to the outer end of the other of said extension members.

2. In a key holding device, a pair of oppositely isposed flexible extension'members, a normally closed annular coupling member having spring controlled means for opening and closing it, said member being arranged between and secured to the inner ends of the extension members, a permanently closed annular attaching element for connection to the coupling member and having its side secured to the outer end or" one of the extension members, and a normally closed annular holding member having spring controlled means for opening and closing it, said holding element having its inner side secured to the outer end of the other of said extension members, said coupling member and holding element being of like form and oppositely disposed with respect to each other.

3. In a key holding device, a pair of oppositely disposed flexible extension members, a normally closed annular coupling'member having spring 7 controlled means for opening and closing it, said member being arranged between and having its sides rigidly secured to the inner ends of the extension. members, a permanently closed annular attaching element for connection to the coupling member and having its inner side rigidly secured to the outer end of one of the extension 'rnernbers,

ing spring controlled means for opening and closing it, said holding element having its inner side rigidly secured to the outer end of the other of a normally closed annular holding member hav-' said'extension members, said coupling member being secured to said extension members adjacent one side of the horizontal diametric center thereof, and said extension members being secured to said elements at the horizontal diametric V centers of said elements.

i. In a key holding device, a pair of oppositely I disposedfiexible extension members, a normally closed annular coupling member having spring controlled means for opening and closing it, said" member being arranged between and secured to the inner endsof the extension members, anannular attaching element for'connection to the coupling member and secured to the outer end of one of the extension members, a normally closed annular holding member having spring controlled means for opening and closing it, said disposed flexible extension members, one of greater length than the other, a permanently closed annular attaching element'permanently secured to the outer end of the extension member of greatest length, a normally closed annular holding element permanently secured to the outer end of the other of saidextension members, a

normally closed annular coupling member arranged between and permanently secured at opposite sides thereof to the inner ends of said extension members,- and said attaching element for detachable connection" to said coupling member to provide said extension member of greatest length in the form of a loop for connecting the device to the stem of a door knob, said coupling member having a slidable part to providefor connecting the attaching element therein, and said holding element having a slidable'part to provide for detachably connecting the stem of a door key thereto.

RUTH M. BRYAN. 

